The specific network broadcasting the Dolphins game varies; check your local listings or a reliable sports schedule for the exact channel.
Trying to figure out what network is the dolphins game on can be tricky, since it changes each week. Don’t worry, you are not alone in this! Many fans face the same challenge, especially with games spread across various platforms.
Knowing the correct channel is key to catching all the action. Whether it’s on a national broadcast or a local network, we want to help you find it. This article guides you on how to locate the game.
What Network is the Dolphins Game On?
Figuring out where to watch the Miami Dolphins game can sometimes feel like solving a puzzle! It changes from week to week, and it depends on a lot of things. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you become a pro at finding your favorite team on TV. Let’s explore all the different places you might find the Dolphins playing.
The Big Networks: Sunday Football on CBS and Fox
When the Dolphins play on a Sunday afternoon, chances are you’ll find them on either CBS or Fox. These are the two main networks that show a lot of NFL games during the regular season. Each week, different games are chosen to be broadcast on these networks based on what is called the “TV market”. A TV market is basically what area the networks think will be watching certain games. So if the Dolphins are playing a team that has many fans nearby, or if the game is a big match up, there’s a good chance it will be on one of these two networks.
CBS: The Home of Many AFC Games
CBS is the place to look for a lot of Miami Dolphins games, especially when they play teams from the American Football Conference (AFC). The Dolphins are part of the AFC, so CBS shows many of their games. If the Dolphins are facing teams like the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots or the Kansas City Chiefs, there is a high likelihood that you’ll see that match on CBS. Usually, these games air on Sunday afternoons. CBS has been a reliable source for NFL action for many years, so it is a good place to start when looking for the Dolphins game.
Fox: The NFC Connection
Fox, on the other hand, usually broadcasts games featuring teams from the National Football Conference (NFC). But the Dolphins do sometimes play NFC teams, especially during the inter-conference schedule. If the Dolphins are up against teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there is a good possibility that you will find the game on Fox. Just like CBS, Fox usually shows its NFL games on Sunday afternoons. It’s always smart to double check to make sure you do not miss the game.
Prime Time Football: NBC, ESPN, and Amazon Prime
Beyond Sunday afternoons, the Dolphins also get some primetime spotlight! These games air in the evening, which is a fun way to end your day or week, and are shown on other networks. Let’s take a look at these networks.
NBC’s Sunday Night Football
NBC is the home of “Sunday Night Football.” This means that if the Dolphins are playing a big game or a division rivalry game, or just a game with lots of viewers expected, they might be chosen to be on this prime time slot. Sunday Night Football is a big deal with lots of viewers, so it is fun to watch the Dolphins when they’re on NBC. You can usually find these games starting at 8:20 PM Eastern Time.
ESPN’s Monday Night Football
Monday nights are for “Monday Night Football” on ESPN! If you see the Dolphins playing on a Monday, you’ll know where to look. This is another opportunity for the Dolphins to be showcased on national television. ESPN games are an opportunity to start your week off right and it is one of the main ways many fans watch a game. These games also start in the evening, usually around 8:15 PM Eastern Time. ESPN also has some additional games that they show throughout the year.
Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video
In recent years, Amazon Prime Video has joined the mix, becoming the exclusive home for “Thursday Night Football.” When the Dolphins have a Thursday game you’ll have to use Amazon Prime Video to watch. These games are also usually in the evening, so be ready to watch on your computer, your TV through a device, or your phone or tablet. This is a good way to watch the game if you don’t have traditional cable but make sure that you have an amazon prime subscription.
Local Channels and Regional Sports Networks
While the big national networks carry a lot of games, local channels and regional sports networks also play a key role in showing Miami Dolphins action.
Your Local Affiliate
Often, the CBS and Fox games you see will be through your local affiliate. This means, you are watching the broadcast on your local channel. For instance, if you live in Miami, you would be watching the Dolphins game on your local CBS or FOX station which is a good option because it allows you to watch your favorite local commentators and team. Local channels play the games that the national network is broadcasting but will include their own commentary, ads, and local information. If you’re unsure of which channel that is for you, check your TV guide or your provider’s website.
Regional Sports Networks
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) used to be a large source for watching Miami Dolphins games. RSNs show games in specific regions, and used to be the best place to find games that were not shown nationally. But now many of the games are shown nationally on the networks, but some games will still be shown on the regional sports networks depending on the specific area and other contracts. The regional network for the Dolphins used to be Bally Sports Sun, but it is currently not being broadcasted because of issues with the network.
Using NFL’s Out-of-Market Streaming Services
If you live outside the local TV market of the Dolphins, this can make it a little tricky to watch the games every week. But thankfully, there are ways to make sure you don’t miss any action. The NFL offers some out-of-market services that may let you watch the Dolphins games.
NFL Sunday Ticket
NFL Sunday Ticket is a subscription service that lets you watch all out-of-market games on Sunday afternoons. If the Dolphins game is not being shown locally and is not on one of the primetime networks (NBC, ESPN, or Amazon Prime), then it should be available on NFL Sunday Ticket. NFL Sunday ticket used to be exclusively available with Direct TV, but now is available with other services including YoutubeTV and Youtube directly. If you’re a fan who has moved away from Miami or simply doesn’t live in their local TV market, this could be a great option for you to get access to all of the Dolphins games that aren’t in primetime or broadcasted in your local area.
NFL+
NFL+ is another service offered by the NFL. NFL+ is a cheaper option than Sunday Ticket, but you don’t get access to out-of-market games. NFL+ gives you access to live local and primetime games on your phone or tablet, as well as on demand replays. If you are trying to watch out-of-market games on your TV or your computer, NFL+ is not an option but it is good for games on your phone or tablet. NFL+ also has access to replays and some shows as well, making it a good way to keep track of the Dolphins all season.
Finding the Right Game: Using Schedules and TV Guides
With all these different networks and services, finding the right place to watch the game might seem complicated! Here are a few ways you can confirm where to find the Dolphins each week.
Check the Official NFL Schedule
The NFL website is a great place to start. It has a complete schedule for every team. When you look at the Miami Dolphins schedule, you’ll see the date, time, and the television network for each game. This is probably the best place to start when looking for a Miami Dolphins game, because this is the official schedule from the league.
Consult Your TV Guide
Your TV guide is a good resource as well. TV guides are available through your cable or satellite provider, or sometimes on your TV itself. The guide will show you what programs are airing when, and will also tell you what network is showing the game. If you are having trouble with the NFL website or other online sources, this can be a great place to check.
Use Online Sports Apps and Websites
Many sports apps like ESPN, TheScore, or Bleacher Report also show game schedules and TV listings. These apps are great because they are often easy to use and they can sometimes offer personalized updates about your favorite teams. Many of these apps also have real time game score and updates as well, which can be very convenient. These websites and apps are a good tool to keep track of the Dolphins and when they are on TV.
Keeping Up with Changes: Network Switching and Flex Scheduling
The TV schedule for NFL games can sometimes change, so it is very important to check. It is important to keep up with the most recent changes. This sometimes happens because of flex scheduling.
Flex Scheduling
Flex scheduling is when the NFL moves a game from one timeslot to another, so the games are on the best possible television timeslot. This usually happens in the later part of the season when games have more important playoff implications. For example, a Dolphins game could be moved from a Sunday afternoon to Sunday night, or from Sunday to a Monday. These changes are always announced ahead of time. So it’s a good idea to check the schedule closer to the game date. This is good, because it means you get to watch more important games on the best possible timeslots.
Network Switching
Also, sometimes games can switch between CBS and Fox. This isn’t very common, but it could happen. So, if you were planning on watching the game on one channel and it isn’t there, check the other one. It’s a good idea to double-check the schedule a few days before the game just to be sure, so you don’t miss any action.
Watching the Miami Dolphins can be an adventure, but using these tips it should be easier. You’ll be a pro at finding the game in no time. Always make sure you know what channel the game is on, and make sure you are ready to watch your favorite team.
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Final Thoughts
To catch the Dolphins game, you need to know the correct channel. Game availability varies by week and can be on various networks. Check your local listings for the most up-to-date information.
Sometimes the game is on CBS, FOX, or ESPN. These are common broadcast networks for NFL games. However, regional and cable channels also carry them.
So, to reiterate, what network is the dolphins game on? Refer to the schedule provided by your television provider or a sports app. This ensures you don’t miss any action.
